Asian Games 2026: India beats Japan 3-1 to seal women’s hockey semifinal berth
Last year, India had won bronze in Hangzhou 2023. | Photo Credit: Hockey India/X
Last year, India had won bronze in Hangzhou 2023. | Photo Credit: Hockey India/X
India secured a place in the women’s hockey semifinals at the Asian Games 2026 after beating host Japan 3-1 in its penultimate Pool B match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Friday.
Lalremsiami Hmarzote, Ishika Chaudhary and Navneet Kaur scored for India, while Shiho Kobayakawa pulled one back for Japan.
The victory extended India’s perfect run to four wins from four matches and took it to 12 points, ensuring a top-two finish in Pool B. Japan remains second with nine points, while Thailand can also reach 12 if it wins its remaining games. However, with Thailand and Japan meeting in their final group match, only one can potentially match India’s tally.
India made an early breakthrough when Lalremsiami reacted quickest after Japan goalkeeper Yu Kudo saved Navneet’s attempt. Japan threatened an equaliser later in the opening quarter, but Savita Punia kept out Maho Ueno’s Penalty Corner (PC) effort.
India increased the pressure in the second quarter and doubled its lead just before half-time. Navneet’s PC attempt was blocked, but Ishika was alert to convert the rebound.
Navneet finally got on the scoresheet in the third quarter after weaving her way through the Japanese defence.
Japan reduced the deficit early in the final quarter when Kobayakawa unleashed a powerful tomahawk. India weathered the late pressure, however, to secure another important victory.
India will conclude its Pool B campaign against Singapore on Sunday.
Last year, India had won bronze in Hangzhou 2023.
Published on Sep 25, 2026
Latest on Sportstar
Live Blog 2026-09-25T08:33:50+05:30
India A vs Australia A, 1st unofficial Test Day 4 LIVE score: AUS-A needs 308 runs, IND-A needs eight wickets for victory- Scaloni on Messi farewell game: Will be hard to hold back tears
Live Blog 2026-09-25T09:08:38+05:30
Asian Games 2026 kabaddi semifinals LIVE score: India vs Nepal in women's tournament; IND 21-15 NEP
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.